http://www.mail.com/organizations/3562-nba-western-conference.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/organizations/3562-nba-western-conference.html http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1766250-anthony-scores-30-knicks-beat-slumping-lakers.html NEW YORK (AP) — The pregame boos had barely finished, and Mike D'Antoni suddenly had much bigger problems. Carmelo Anthony had three 3-pointers in less than three minutes, and a look in his eye that he couldn't be stopped. "He has those games where he does that," D'Antoni said. "And when he does that, the Knicks are awfully tough to beat, obviously." ... Fri, 14 Dec 2012 08:17:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1766250-anthony-scores-30-knicks-beat-slumping-lakers.html 2012-12-14T08:17:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1765916-anthony-scores-30-knicks-beat-slumping-lakers.html NEW YORK (AP) — Sensing a fellow shooter had become gun shy, Kobe Bryant had a message for Carmelo Anthony last summer. Ignore the critics, he said. Stop worrying about fitting in and get back to a scorer's mentality. "You have to do what you do best," Bryant told him. That's what Anthony did in a spectacular first quarter Thursday night, and by the time ... Fri, 14 Dec 2012 04:28:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1765916-anthony-scores-30-knicks-beat-slumping-lakers.html 2012-12-14T04:28:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1764928-dantoni-hopes-lakers-start-playing-knicks.html NEW YORK (AP) — Mike D'Antoni never built the team he wanted in New York. Now he looks at the Knicks and sees what he would like his Lakers to become. D'Antoni returns to Madison Square Garden on Thursday for the first time since resigning as Knicks coach last March, hoping to see the type of performance his new team hasn't demonstrated nearly enough. ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1764928-dantoni-hopes-lakers-start-playing-knicks.html 2012-12-13T19:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1762232-love-hes-happy-with-t-wolves-direction.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Kevin Love didn't apologize. He didn't make excuses or suggest his words were taken out of context. What the Minnesota Timberwolves power forward did do on Wednesday in the wake of some harsh words toward the organization was offer some balance to the idea of him as another unhappy star in a small market seemingly destined to move on to... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1762232-love-hes-happy-with-t-wolves-direction.html 2012-12-12T19:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760238-griffin-leads-streaking-clippers-bulls-94-89.html CHICAGO (AP) — Chris Paul liked the way the Los Angeles Clippers grinded out an ugly win when they were challenged. Blake Griffin had 22 points and 10 rebounds to help Los Angeles beat the Chicago Bulls 94-89 on Tuesday night for its seventh straight victory, the team's longest winning streak in two decades. Marco Belinelli hit a 3-pointer with less than ... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760238-griffin-leads-streaking-clippers-bulls-94-89.html 2012-12-12T05:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1759920-magic-johnson-lakers-play-inside-game.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — Magic Johnson questioned new coach Mike D'Antoni's system with the slumping Los Angeles Lakers, saying "it doesn't fit the talent the Lakers have." The Lakers (9-12) fell to 4-8 in the 12 games since D'Antoni took over from the fired Mike Brown with a 100-94 loss to the Cavaliers on Tuesday night in Cleveland. "I'm not down on him yet a... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:10:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1759920-magic-johnson-lakers-play-inside-game.html 2012-12-12T04:10:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760066-anthony-scores-45-knicks-rally-to-beat-nets.html NEW YORK (AP) — Now, this Knicks-Nets rivalry is really on. If it hadn't started when the Nets left New Jersey and set up shop in the Knicks' city, it surely arrived when Jason Kidd delivered the tiebreaking 3-pointer Tuesday night, making himself an enemy of his former franchise. "I hate him," Nets guard Deron Williams said. Williams ... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:41:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760066-anthony-scores-45-knicks-rally-to-beat-nets.html 2012-12-12T03:41:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760036-irving-cavs-deal-lakers-loss-100-94.html CLEVELAND (AP) — There had to be a low point. The Los Angeles Lakers can only hope they've reached it. This chaotic season has gotten worse. Kyrie Irving scored 28 points in his return after missing 11 games with a broken finger, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 100-94 win over Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, who look nothing like a team projected to win ... Wed, 12 Dec 2012 03:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1760036-irving-cavs-deal-lakers-loss-100-94.html 2012-12-12T03:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1753686-mayo-40-mavs-win-mchales-return.html HOUSTON (AP) — Chris Kaman scored half as many points as O.J. Mayo for the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Considering the way Kaman's left ankle looked, those 20 points were just as impressive to coach Rick Carlisle. Mayo tied a career high with 40 points, including 10 in the last three minutes, to lift the Mavericks to a 116-109 victory over the Roc... Sun, 09 Dec 2012 03:59:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1753686-mayo-40-mavs-win-mchales-return.html 2012-12-09T03:59:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752474-thunder-hold-lakers-late-charge-win-114-108.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — In a reversal of roles, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers know they're the predators trying to track down Kevin Durant's Oklahoma City Thunder. They have some work to do. Durant had 36 points, Russell Westbrook scored 27 of his 33 in the first half to stake Oklahoma City to a commanding lead and the Thunder beat the short-handed ... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 05:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752474-thunder-hold-lakers-late-charge-win-114-108.html 2012-12-08T05:48:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752438-gay-leads-grizzlies-hornets-96-89.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — As animated as Quincy Pondexter was on a night when he couldn't miss, it looked as though he wanted the team that traded him away to notice how well he's doing these days. Pondexter denied it, to which teammate Rudy Gay said, "I don't believe him at all." Gay tied a season-high with 28 points, Pondexter matched his season-high with 16, ... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 03:46:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752438-gay-leads-grizzlies-hornets-96-89.html 2012-12-08T03:46:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752356-miller-leads-nuggets-pacers-92-89.html INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Denver's Andre Miller brought back a blast from the past Friday night. The 36-year-old backup guard scored eight of his 15 points during a 10-0 run in the final three minutes, leading the Nuggets past the Indiana Pacers 92-89. Miller had a hand in all of the points, also getting an assist on JaVale McGee's dunk during the decisive spur... Sat, 08 Dec 2012 01:55:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752356-miller-leads-nuggets-pacers-92-89.html 2012-12-08T01:55:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752080-rubio-big-expectations-await-return.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Wait 'till Ricky comes back. It seems like that's been the hopeful mantra for the Minnesota Timberwolves all season long. Guards getting torched by opposing backcourts? Wait 'till Ricky comes back. Nikola Pekovic not getting the same clean looks in the paint he did last year? Wait 'till Ricky comes back. ... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 22:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1752080-rubio-big-expectations-await-return.html 2012-12-07T22:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1751610-pau-gasol-expected-to-lakers-game-thunder.html OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol is expected to miss his third straight game with tendinitis in his knees. Coach Mike D'Antoni said at the Lakers' shootaround that he hadn't received an official update from team doctors, but he took that to mean that Gasol is "not ready yet" for Friday night's game at Oklahoma City. D'Antoni says ... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 19:00:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1751610-pau-gasol-expected-to-lakers-game-thunder.html 2012-12-07T19:00:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1750196-mayos-23-lead-mavericks-skidding-suns-97-94.html PHOENIX (AP) — Fans were guaranteed a good time or their money back at the Phoenix Suns' game against Dallas. They were not guaranteed a victory, and they didn't get one — just another failed Phoenix comeback. A tough, fall-away 21-footer by O.J. Mayo proved to be the difference as the Mavericks handed the Suns their fifth loss in a row, 97-94 on Thursday... Fri, 07 Dec 2012 06:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1750196-mayos-23-lead-mavericks-skidding-suns-97-94.html 2012-12-07T06:48:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747088-bryant-eclipses-30000-lakers-beat-hornets-103-87.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kobe Bryant grinned and uttered the word "irony" as he considered the fact that the team that drafted him nearly 17 years ago was his opponent on the night he eclipsed a scoring milestone to join an exclusive club of NBA greats. It's easy to forget that it was the Hornets who drafted and then traded Bryant away back in 1996. In the year... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 08:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747088-bryant-eclipses-30000-lakers-beat-hornets-103-87.html 2012-12-06T08:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747038-stern-spurs-rested-too-players-too-early.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — NBA Commissioner David Stern said Wednesday his $250,000 fine of the San Antonio Spurs was justified because the club went beyond what league owners agreed was a reasonable approach to resting healthy players. Stern said coaches should have the authority to rest players at the end of the season, but that teams should not rest four start... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 02:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747038-stern-spurs-rested-too-players-too-early.html 2012-12-06T02:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747016-bryant-youngest-to-reach-30000-points.html NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Kobe Bryant has become the youngest player in NBA history to eclipse 30,000 career points and only the fifth overall to hit that mark. Bryant entered the elite scoring club during the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the New Orleans Hornets. He arrived in New Orleans 13 points short, and scored his 13th and 14th points... Thu, 06 Dec 2012 01:13:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1747016-bryant-youngest-to-reach-30000-points.html 2012-12-06T01:13:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1738398-rubio-knee-feels-good-1st-practice.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — At one point in his first real practice in nine months, Ricky Rubio zipped a pass through defender Josh Howard's legs to an open teammate. It may take some time for his surgically repaired left knee to get back up to speed. The instincts and court vision that made him such a crucial part of the resurgent Minnesota Timberwolves haven't g... Sun, 02 Dec 2012 19:49:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1738398-rubio-knee-feels-good-1st-practice.html 2012-12-02T19:49:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1737574-disappointed-spurs-shrug-fine-beat-memphis.html SAN ANTONIO (AP) — So that's what $250,000 worth of rest looks like. Tony Parker scored 30 points and Tim Duncan had 27 points and 15 rebounds, giving the San Antonio Spurs their money's worth for the unprecedented fine from the NBA they absorbed for putting rest over the league's business interests in a 99-95 overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies o... Sun, 02 Dec 2012 04:28:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1737574-disappointed-spurs-shrug-fine-beat-memphis.html 2012-12-02T04:28:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1737424-popovich-disappointed-250k-fine-nba.html SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Gregg Popovich said Saturday night he doesn't know if the San Antonio Spurs will appeal a $250,000 fine from the NBA for sending his star players home to rest instead of playing them against the Miami Heat. Speaking publicly for the first time since NBA Commissioner David Stern handed down the stiff penalty Friday, the Spurs coach and t... Sun, 02 Dec 2012 01:54:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1737424-popovich-disappointed-250k-fine-nba.html 2012-12-02T01:54:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1735278-nba-fines-spurs-250000-sending-starters.html Gregg Popovich sent his best players home, deciding they reached the end of the road before the trip was over. For that, and for keeping it a secret, the San Antonio Spurs were fined $250,000 by the NBA on Friday. Commissioner David Stern said the Spurs "did a disservice to the league and our fans" when they didn't bring Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Gino... Sat, 01 Dec 2012 00:36:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1735278-nba-fines-spurs-250000-sending-starters.html 2012-12-01T00:36:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1734628-t-wolves-rubio-set-1st-practice-9-months.html MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — For Ricky Rubio, the waiting has been the hardest part. Now that Minnesota's dynamic young point guard is achingly close to playing in his first game in nearly nine months, Rubio says it's important to be patient with his recovery from torn ligaments in his left knee. He was cleared to return to full-contact practice this week and is ex... Fri, 30 Nov 2012 20:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1734628-t-wolves-rubio-set-1st-practice-9-months.html 2012-11-30T20:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1733466-short-handed-spurs-fall-to-heat-105-100.html MIAMI (AP) — When Gregg Popovich gives his best players a night off to rest, it's not uncommon for the San Antonio Spurs coach to get letters from upset fans. This time, he's going to hear from an upset commissioner — even after Popovich's short-handed team nearly knocked off the Miami Heat. Ray Allen's 3-pointer with 22.6 seconds left gave Miami the lead... Fri, 30 Nov 2012 07:36:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1733466-short-handed-spurs-fall-to-heat-105-100.html 2012-11-30T07:36:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1733008-warriors-hold-nuggets-106-105-wild-finish.html OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — If there were ever a time to praise the benefits of replay, Warriors coach Mark Jackson found it. Andre Iguodala's 3-pointer as the buzzer sounded was waived off, and Golden State held on for a wild 106-105 win over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night after four replay reviews over the final 3.4 seconds. Iguodal... Fri, 30 Nov 2012 06:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1733008-warriors-hold-nuggets-106-105-wild-finish.html 2012-11-30T06:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1732866-allen-heat-top-short-handed-spurs-105-100.html MIAMI (AP) — The NBA plans to make San Antonio pay for resting four starters. The Miami Heat almost could not. Ray Allen's 3-pointer with 22.6 seconds left gave Miami the lead, LeBron James finished with 23 points and the Heat rallied late to beat the Spurs 105-100 on Thursday night — digging deep despite San Antonio's decision to have four top players re... Fri, 30 Nov 2012 03:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1732866-allen-heat-top-short-handed-spurs-105-100.html 2012-11-30T03:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1731150-mavericks-to-sign-veteran-derek-fisher.html CHICAGO (AP) — The short-handed Dallas Mavericks will sign 16-year veteran point guard Derek Fisher on Thursday, coach Rick Carlisle said after team's 101-78 loss to Chicago on Wednesday night. The move is contingent on Fisher passing a physical. Dallas played Wednesday without Darren Collison, who had started 14 of its first games at the point, because o... Thu, 29 Nov 2012 14:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1731150-mavericks-to-sign-veteran-derek-fisher.html 2012-11-29T14:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1730324-wizards-beat-blazers-1st-win-12-losses.html WASHINGTON (AP) — After their worst start in history, the Washington Wizards became a national punch line. On TNT, Charles Barkley compared them with the Washington Generals, and a local newspaper had photos of fans wearing paper bags over their heads at Monday's 26-point loss to San Antonio. The jokes can stop — at least for now. Washington earned its fi... Thu, 29 Nov 2012 03:18:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1730324-wizards-beat-blazers-1st-win-12-losses.html 2012-11-29T03:18:00Z http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1728214-lebron-knicks-top-nba-jersey-sale-lists.html MIAMI (AP) — LeBron James is atop the NBA's jersey-sales list once again. The Miami Heat star has the league's hottest-selling jersey, marking the third time the NBA's reigning MVP and Finals MVP has held that distinction. James was No. 4 in the most recent rankings, released in April. Since then, all he's done is win his third MVP awa... Wed, 28 Nov 2012 12:05:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/sports/basketball/1728214-lebron-knicks-top-nba-jersey-sale-lists.html 2012-11-28T12:05:00Z